Step 1: The Discovery Phase
Our projects begin with a discovery phase where we get to know what makes your orginization and your customers tick. This sets the tone for the project.
We need to get a good feel for who you are, what you stand for and who the people are that you plan to serve. Only then can we begin to create a design that portrays the value you offer in a way that resonates with the people who matter: your online community/customer or clients.
- Kickoff meeting: Team introductions + Strategy Questionnaire introduction
- Website Strategy Questionnaire distribution
- Existing Brand and Creative Marketing Audit
- Existing website page and navigation audit
- Discovery meeting: Questionnaire insights discussion + Planning Phase introduction
Step 2: The Plan and Structure
- Creation of the new website infrastructure; the sitemap (a complete page outline)
- Creation of the new navigation (top level menu and footer links)
- Set up of new website development environment
- Gathering of domain and hosting credentials
- Hosting plan evaluation
- Evaluation of third party software
Step 3: The Design and Content
Our goal in this phase is to create a customize design concept and production-ready copy content. Based on the discovery and planning work, the Website Design and Content Creation Workflow will begin. This is an iterative process that is arguably the most important work to be done. You will begin to gather and/or refresh or create your copy content and we will be ready to begin the design concepts.
After the website design concept presentation, together we will refine based on feedback until final. Once we have the design direction locked-in, and production-ready content, we can begin to construct the website.
- First website content delivery milestone (key page content, remaining pages outlined, supplied by client)
- Website design concept presentation
- Second content delivery milestone (All copy content 90% complete, production ready, supplied by client)
- Gathering and/or creation of graphics and imagery
- Client owned imagery to be delivered by client
- Photography and graphics such as illustrations and icons (stock or custom) to be procured by the client)
Step 4: Website Development
This next phase is where we roll up our sleeves and begin turning the prototype and interface designs into a fully working website.
- Framework and navigation are built with responsive breakpoints
- Website pages are built with branded layouts
- Graphics and content are added
- Existing blog data is migrated to new website (if applicable)
- Third party software is integrated and skinned with brand styles
- ADA testing is conducted based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements.
Once all pages are built, we'll present it to you and go through the details in accordance with the objectives originally set.
- On-Screen website click-through is scheduled and conducted
- Client to deliver final changes, amendments, edits
Step 5: Launch
Once all of your details are ready to go live, we begin the launch process.
We put the new website through a pre-launch check list to insure nothing is missed and the launch goes smoothly.
- Set launch date (allow for three day "content freeze")
- Testing & quality assurance checks
- Move to live servers: The launch!
- Announce to search engines (and your community!)
- Congratulations—time to celebrate!
Care and Support
We provide training and support with every website we build to be sure you can jump right in and make the most of your new asset.
- 30 days email technical support starts the day of launch
- We'll schedule a one hour staff training session with screen share and Q&A
- We recommend a Website care plan for ongoing maintenance and support